Method for inducing tumor regression

Abstract

Methods for treating cancer and/or inducing tumor regression in mammals (e.g., humans) by increasing the metabolism of the mammal, administering a BA dye to the mammal, and thereafter exposing the tumor to actinic light for activation of the BA dye.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating a malignant brain tumor in a subject comprising:
 1) administering at least one of glucose, glucagon, corticosteroids, growth hormones, thyroid hormones and insulin, to the subject until the plasma glucose level of the subject is above the basal plasma glucose of the subject; 
 2) administering at least one EtNBS compound to the subject; and thereafter 
 3) exposing the subject to actinic light. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the malignant tumor is a glioma. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the glioma is a glioblastoma. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering glucose to the subject. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering one or more hormones to the subject. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , comprising waiting at least 30 minutes between administration of the EtNBS compound to the subject and exposing the subject to actinic light. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  comprising increasing the plasma glucose level of the subject by at least 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50% above the basal plasma glucose level of the subject. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the actinic light comprises light in the range of wavelength 600-700 nm. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  which comprises administering to the subject between about 0.01 to 15 mg/kg of body weight of at least one EtNBS compound. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6  wherein the actinic light comprises laser light. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the actinic light delivers total light energy of between about 50 and about 500 Joules (J)/cm2. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein the power density of the light is between about 50 and 500 mW/cm. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein the time period after glucose administration and exposure to actinic light is about 30 to 60 minutes. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  comprising administering glucagon to the subject. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  comprising administering corticosteroids to the subject. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  comprising administering growth hormones to the subject. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering thyroid hormones to the subject. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering insulin to the subject. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering glucose and insulin to the subject. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1  wherein the EtNBS compound is 2-iodo-5-ethylamino-9-diethylamino-benzo [a]phenothiazinium chloride.